I. Why the book of Revelation?
a. The importance of the “whole counsel of God”
Ø Study to show yourself approved
o Righly handle the Word of Truth
Ø II Timothy 3:16
Ø Revelation 22:18-19
b. Relevance to our situation(s)
i. The End Times in Our Times
Ø Proliferation of “End Time” books, teaching etc
Ø 2012 phenomenon
Ø “Signs of the Times”
Ø Enter into the Mystery
ii. A practical word for serious disciples
Ø “All who follow me will be persecuted….”
Ø The urgency of authentic discipleship
Ø Living into the reality of the “Already and Not Yet”
o Faith/ Trust/ Obedience without Compromise
c. The problems of interpretation
Ø Confusion of so many different interpretations
Ø imposing 20th Century Understandings on a 1st Century Document
Ø Popular Christianity versus Historic Biblical Theology
Ø Deeply held (religious) attachments to non-biblical interpretations
II. The Historical and Literary Context
a. Revelation and Rome
Ø Reign and rule of Nero or Domitian (likely Domitian / AD 81-96 –from Irenaeus’ “Against Heresies “)
Ø Context of enforcement of “Emperor Worship” ie. “Imperial Cult” –deification of the emperor and punishment to those who do not submit (way of enforcing civic loyalty)
Ø Persecution….therefore a need for “coded” communication
Ø The Seven Churches as immediate audience (amphitheatre) and representative audience
b. Apocalyptic Literary Genre
Ø Mixture of literary genres, yet distinctively unique
o Epistle
o Prophecy (forth and foretelling)
o Dreams and Visions
Ø Profound use of Old Testament
o Images and References
o Eschatology (Ezekiel and Daniel)
§ Israel / Babylon
§ Temple / “New” Jerusalem
Ø Eschatological
o Levels of “end time” writings
§ Immediate audience
§ All time / transcends time
§ End Time /Final Time
c. Consideration of a Biblical Worldview
Ø Eastern Worldview…..Western Worldview…..Middle Eastern/Biblical
o Forward chronology that repeats on itself with increasing intensity until culmination
Ø Tapestry / Heaven and Earth
Ø Draw chart
III. The Importance of Interpretation
a. “Literal” versus “Actual” –core assumptions for interpretation
Ø The Bible is the inspired, inerrant and infallible Word of God…written…
· Jesus is the living Word of God….the FULL Revelation of God
· The Bible is the complete and closed “canon” and the perfect yet “limited” (by God himself as He sovereignly both reveals and conceals) revelation ….about Jesus (who is the Fullness of God)
· Ie. a guard against “bibliolatry” –Jesus is God…the Bible his word…
Ø How God has chosen to reveal (messenger) is as important as Who God has revealed (messenger)….the message and messenger are one….
Ø “literal” does not always = faithful (in terms of interpretation)
Ø To respect the literary genre in which the sacred text has been delivered is to honor the totality of God’s Word as revealed…
b. The Primary Tool –the use of symbolic language
Ø Presume symbolic usage before literal…..(opposite of most genres)
Ø The need for “coded” language based on historical context
Ø The prominence of Old Testament imagery/ themes etc.
Ø The frequent use of numerology
Ø The “key” to the “code” -Revelation 1:12-20
IV. The Keys to Application
a. Pastoral Considerations
Ø First three chapters (Epistle genre) set the stage as pastoral
Ø How to remain faithful in the midst of persecution
Ø Faith based on hope of Jesus’ imminent return which involves justice & judgment
b. The Issue of Urgency
Ø Revelation 1:1; 1:3; 22:7; 22:12; 22:20
Ø The lacking ingredient on contemporary disciples
Ø How would Jesus’ imminent return affect how we live?
V. The Big Idea
a. Pastoral
Ø In the midst of suffering, hang in there…Jesus is coming soon & will make all things right
b. Exegetical
Ø Revelation 11:15
c. Relationship between Biblical Worldview & The Big Idea
Ø Put chart of Biblical Worldview (heaven and earth) back up
Ø Read Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)
Ø Read Revelation 11:15 again
Ø Make the connection:
o Already and not yet
o Kingdom come and Thy will be done
§ Till Heaven comes down to Earth…and they are one!
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